Avalanche Sign Nikita Novosyolov To Entry-Level Contract

The Colorado Avalanche have made quick work in adding to their goaltending depth. According to a team announcement, the Avalanche have signed netminder Nikita Novosyolov to a two-year, entry-level contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Novosyolov, 21, had no affiliation with the Avalanche before today’s signing. The Krasnoturyinsk, Russia native had never been drafted and had primarily been playing in the VHL for the past two years.

Still, there’s every indication that the young netminder would have spent next year in the KHL had he not signed with Colorado. Novosyolov is coming off an impressive season with the VHL’s Gornyak-UGMK, managing a 22-10-8 record in 40 games with a .932 SV% and 2.10 GAA, including three shutouts.

It would be one thing if the 2025-26 campaign just looked like a flash in the pan, but it’s remarkably similar to his 2024-25 production, and in more games. During the 2024-25 season, again with the Gornyak-UGMK, Novosyolov finished with a 14-4-5 record in 25 games with a .934 SV% and 2.24 GAA.

Unfortunately, Novosyolov doesn’t have a clear pathway to minutes, even with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. The Avalanche are already set between the pipes next season with the combination of Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, whereas the Eagles have Ilya Nabokov and Trent Miner. However, in the likely event of injury, Novosyolov should have some AHL playing time next year.